A distribution network operator (DNO) is the company licensed to own and run the local electricity network in a region: the substations, overhead lines and underground cables that take power from the high-voltage transmission grid and deliver it to homes and businesses. A DNO is not your energy supplier. You cannot choose your DNO; it depends on where you live.
What a DNO does
- Maintains the local network and restores power after faults and storms.
- Connects new homes, businesses, solar panels, heat pumps, EV chargers and batteries, and approves larger installations that export to the grid.
- Increasingly manages the network actively, paying local flexibility providers to ease pressure at busy times instead of always building new capacity.
DNOs are regulated monopolies. Ofgem sets how much they can earn through price controls, and their costs are recovered through network charges on every bill.
The 14 licence areas
Great Britain is divided into 14 distribution licence areas, run by six network companies:
| Network company | Licence areas |
|---|---|
| UK Power Networks | London; South East England; East of England |
| National Grid Electricity Distribution | East Midlands; West Midlands; South Wales; South West England |
| Northern Powergrid | North East England; Yorkshire |
| Electricity North West | North West England |
| SP Energy Networks | Central and southern Scotland; Merseyside and North Wales |
| Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks | North of Scotland; central southern England |
Electricity North West has had the same majority owner as SP Energy Networks since 2024 but still holds its own licence. Northern Ireland has a separate network operator. Some newer housing estates are served by smaller independent network operators.
Power cuts: call 105
If you have a power cut in England, Scotland or Wales, call 105. The free number puts you through to the DNO for your area, which is the company that fixes the fault. You can also call 105 to report damaged power lines or substations. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Read more: Smart grids and microgrids: how a flexible electricity system works.